I said I was going to get my bike on the road in March and I did it this weekend. It was going to be sunny and mid 40s on Saturday, so I decided to just go for it. The first ride is such a rigmarole with changing the tire to my road tire, pumping up the tires and adjusting everything. Then hauling the bike down the stairs. How stuff gets out of whack from sitting on my bike trainer is beyond me, but it is so.
Mileage set to zero.
Anyhoo – we decided to bike for some coffee. I actually got John to go with. I think my excitement was catching or something 😀 Or possibly he was enchanted by my stylish attire:
I was totally layered up for this ride. I had on leggings under my bike pants. Then long underwear, a long sleeve technical shirt and 2 jackets. I could barely move!
Can you tell how excited I was to get out there? John was waiting for me. Usually it is the other way around. It’s a little weird to bike with snow piles still around.
It’s not as snowy in other spots, it just looks like more because of the shoveling of the driveway.
The roads were dry, but the unpaved bike path is still impassible. We did go on a bit of the paved part. The canal is still frozen over.
It actually turned out to be quite a nice ride. I started to get a bit sweaty as we got towards the coffee shop. The sun helped warm us up a lot. It actually ended up being close to 50 degrees!
At mile 6.5, we ended up at Coffee Planet. They changed out the artwork recently and this artist encouraged participation with this large framed piece of paper and colored pencils to draw on. This paper was blank last week.
We each had coffee and a snack. No cupcakes, but I did have a big cookie!
It was really an enjoyable day. It felt so, so good to get out on the roads. Riding on the trainer just can’t even come close. Not to mention it can’t come close to doing real life hills and terrain. We got home at 14 miles.
Not bad for the first ride of the year. My thighs were a little tired, but other than that I was blissfully happy.
As I took this picture, John said “Ear to ear” – and he was right! I was so happy for the rest of the day.
Sunday brought another quick 6 mile ride, although it was breezier than Saturday. I have 20 miles on the year, which is about 0.75% of my goal miles for the year 😯
must feel good to get back at it! I cant wait to be able to work out outside more often. Excited for a nice spring 🙂 I should consider getting a bike myself…
Awesome!! I took my golf clubs out for the first walk of the year today. My smile looked much like yours!
Hope we have a great biking & golfing season!
Lori
I know how you feel. I’ve been outside all weekend long and boy, did it feel good. Yes, I’ve hiked all winter, but there’s still something nice about being able to leave off a couple of layers!
LOL I forgot about the winter biking outfit. I’m so happy you were able to get in a couple of rides–doing what you love really lifts the spirits, doesn’t it? (If I didn’t already know the answer, I’d only have to look at your smile. 🙂 )
Aw sweet! Glad you got your bike on – you DO look incredibly happy!!!
Yippee!!! So glad the biking has started again…now I wait for the blooms!
Woo Hoo!!! BIG yay for getting out on the bike for the first of many, many outdoor rides this year.
What a great picture of you! So happy you got to enjoy your happy place (and I’m not talking about the cookie LOL)
and your GRIN made even this tired misfit GRIN!!!
HURRAY! Let the 2013 mileage begin! I can’t believe you tackled 14 right out of the gate. Goes to show what continuous training will do. The trainer was definitely the way to go for you guys.
I went and did some cursory bike shopping last weekend. I’m excited to get some new wheels this year. 🙂
How happy you look in that last pic made my day!!! So cute!!!! Glad you got out & enjoyed!!! I do want that cookie though! 😉 What flavor?
You know you’re my biking hero 🙂 While my ride didn’t pan out quite the way I intended, I kept you in my head as I was four-wheeling. I asked myself, “What would Lori do?” and continued to have a very funny conversation with you in my head 🙂
AWESOME!!
Saturday was an absolutely gorgeous day in Portland. Sunny, dry, clear, 65 degrees. Wonderful. I had a friend visiting from out of town so I couldn’t bike. But I really wanted to!
Yippee!! So happy you got your bike out finally – I agree, nothing like being outside vs. the trainer or treadmill. Spring is on its way!
You have an amazing smile Lori! I know that kind of happy feeling from getting to do something you enjoy!
Spring is coming!! You look so sincerely happy and it’s awesome! Just to have those signs that tell us something great is around the corner.. there’s no value on that.
Woohoooooooooo for the first bike ride of the year. I can’t tell you how happy I am for you and your smile says it all. Here’s to many more enjoyable bike rides this season.
I always enjoy your biking posts. Can’t wait until it is warm enough here!
Yay for the first bike ride!! 😀